alteration

alteration — noun

1. a small change made to the way something looks, works, or is organised

1.名詞B2
釋義

a small change made to the way something looks, works, or is organised

例句

The architect suggested a few alterations to the kitchen layout before construction began.

alteration + to + noun (what is changed)

Mei noticed a slight alteration in her grandfather's speech after the hospital visit.

alteration + in + noun (area of change)

同義詞
  • change

    broader; any difference, not necessarily small

  • modification

    slightly more formal; implies adjusting rather than replacing

  • adjustment

    small correction for better fit or function

反義詞
  • preservation

    keeping something the same rather than changing it

文法句型

alteration + to + noun

alteration + in + noun

make an alteration to

用法筆記

Often followed by 'to' when specifying the thing that is changed. Can be countable (a few alterations) or uncountable (alteration of the landscape).

常見錯誤

❌I made an alteration on the schedule.
✅I made an alteration to the schedule.
💡Use 'to', not 'on', when specifying what is changed.

2. a change made to the size or shape of a piece of clothing so that it fits the pe

2.名詞B1
釋義

a change made to the size or shape of a piece of clothing so that it fits the person wearing it better

例句

The tailor finished the alterations on Diego's suit just before the wedding ceremony.

alterations on + possessive + garment

Nadia took her dress to a shop for alterations to the sleeves.

同義詞
  • resizing

    more technical; focuses on changing dimensions

  • adjustment

    broader; can apply to fit or style preferences

  • tailoring

    professional custom-fitting, often by a tailor

文法句型

have alterations done

alterations + to + garment

make alterations to

用法筆記

Almost always countable and often used in the plural (alterations) when referring to adjustments made to a garment. Common in retail contexts ('free alterations with purchase').

常見錯誤

❌I need alteration on my pants.
✅I need alterations to my pants.
💡Use the plural form and the preposition 'to'.

3. the act or process by which something becomes different from its previous state

3.名詞B2
釋義

the act or process by which something becomes different from its previous state

例句

The old warehouse underwent a complete alteration and became a modern art gallery.

undergo alteration — common collocation

Alteration of the company's policies took several months and many team meetings.

同義詞
  • transformation

    more dramatic; implies a complete change in form or nature

  • conversion

    change from one form or function to another

  • modification

    partial change without altering the essential character

反義詞

文法句型

undergo alteration

be subject to alteration

alteration + of + noun

用法筆記

This sense is uncountable and focuses on the general process or act of changing, not on a specific change (distinguish from sense 1). Frequently used with 'undergo' or 'be subject to'.

常見錯誤

❌The alteration of the contract took one hour.' (when referring to a specific change)
✅The alteration to the contract took one hour.
💡Use 'to' for a specific change (sense 1); 'of' here implies the entire process.